Joe Bourne is a local institution in Tucson, known for his warm baritone singing and dynamic style of entertainment. Since 1995, Bourne has added watercolor, acrylic, and encaustic painting to his creative repertoire. He’s recognized not only for his melodious vocals and eclectic art, but also for his charitable work in the community.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, music became a part of his life at an early age. Bourne began his singing career in a church choir and with various street corner singing groups. Inspired by such venerated greats as Nat King Cole and Lou Rawls, Bourne’s singing style is now familiar to audiences all over the world.

Bourne’s career grew from lead singer for a top 40 rhythm and blues/jazz band to the international status he now enjoys, recording and releasing LPs with hit singles. Bourne has opened for artists including Natalie Cole, The Stylistics, The Pointer Sisters and Dionne Warwick during their European tours. He performs a broad collection of music ranging from jazz, gospel, popular, and R&B music and fuses classical music themes with easy-listening arrangements.

Prior to moving to Tucson in 2000, Bourne lived in the Netherlands for 25 years. In addition to his solo career and his engagements with multi-voice choirs, Bourne teams up with female colleagues for heartwarming duets, accompanied by ensembles ranging from combos to big bands and symphony orchestras. He’s a consummate crooner who can flawlessly channel Nat King Cole’s velvety voice.

In the art world, Bourne’s paintings are primarily influenced by his concert travels around the world. He also derives inspiration from the forms and rhythms of the Southwest, with its diverse skies, majestic mountains, and vast deserts. He fosters a fondness for vivid colors and his artistic subject matter is broad, ranging from realistic to abstract.

Bourne is affable and unpretentious. His kind and soothing soul resonates throughout his music. Bourne has a legion of devoted fans and was voted Best Vocalist in Tucson by readers of Tucson Lifestyle magazine.

Q&A With Singer and Artist Joe Bourne

How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?
Family-oriented, kind, community minded and considerate.

What training have you received as a singer?
As a vocalist, I’ve had vocal coaching when I lived in the Netherlands. There was an English-speaking teacher there who taught at the University in Amsterdam, Hillary Reynolds. When I returned to the United States, I contracted Valley Fever, which knocked out my kidneys and my vocals. I was on dialysis for months and couldn’t speak or sing. When my voice came back, I used a coach, Roland Wyatt, who helped me tune up my singing voice and gave me recorded vocal warmup exercises that I still use today.

Where can people see you perform in Tucson?
In Tucson I perform frequently at the Gaslight Music Hall; the Gaslight Theatre; the Community Performance and Art Center (CPAC) in Green Valley; Saddlebrooke Performing Arts Center; The Views at Sun City; Westward Look Resort; Hacienda del Sol; Splendido at Rancho Vistoso; the Century Room at Club Congress; Dominick’s Italian Restaurant; birthday parties; gala evenings; corporate events; festivals; and Christmas events.

When is your next public performance?
I’m doing a tribute to Nat King Cole at the Century Room on April 24. I’m also performing a show in June at the Gaslight Music Theatre in Oro Valley featuring songs by George Gershwin and Cole Porter, titled “It’s All Right with Me.”

Why do you think you’ve had such a long and successful career?
When I started, people wanted me to pigeonhole myself into a specific genre. I ignored them, and that is why I think my career flourished. I offered a broad repertoire. I’d get calls for many events in the ’70s and did a lot of disco songs. As disco started to wane, I concentrated on the American songbook and jazz. Because I’d been stereotyped as a disco vocalist, it was difficult to get accepted into the jazz and blues world, but ultimately, I was able to recreate myself in other genres by knowing my audiences and choosing set lists they enjoyed.

What awards have you received for your singing?
In Bulgaria I was awarded the Silver Orpheus, and in Ireland the Jimmy Kennedy Award, both for my rendition of Gershwin’s song “Summertime.”

How do you want to be remembered? What do you think your legacy will be?
Relative to music, that I’ve always been able to present a performance such that people leave the theater in a happy mood. As far as art goes, it’s the multicolor and multimedia art I create.

How did you get the inspiration to start painting?
While performing on the German cruise ship MS Europa, I performed once a week and had the rest of my time free. While sailing between Manaus, Brazil, and Cape Town, South Africa, just for fun, I attended a watercolor class on the ship. I was “bit” by the painting bug after that. Since that experience, I’ve attended several artists’ workshops and created many paintings in watercolors, acrylics, and encaustics. Encaustics are unique in that they use molten beeswax, resin, and pigments applied to porous surfaces. The encaustic pieces have been extremely popular. I also like to incorporate metal, glass, and fabric into my art.

Where can people buy your art?
Recently I had a show at the Jewish Community Center as well as at the Diana Madaras Gallery. Right now, the best places to buy my art are the Absolutely Art Gallery in Catalina, Sarnoff’s Paloma Art Gallery, and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. I also sell art merchandise including cutting boards, coasters, night lights, trivets, mugs and other gifts at the El Conquistador gift shop, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Tucson Visitor’s Center gift shop.

What advice do you have for aspiring amateur musicians?
Learn the business side of music—how to find work, manage earnings, insurance, and investments. I recommend starting to save early. It’s not necessarily a secure business, so it’s a good idea to have something to fall back on, like a second career or a side job.

Which restaurants do you like to patronize in Tucson?
My favorite restaurant is Vivace. Agustin Kitchen downtown has a nice menu. Michelangelo’s has delicious lamb chops. I also like the recently opened restaurant Miramonte.

Who are some famous musicians who have inspired you?
Lou Rawls, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis

How do you give back to the Tucson community?
Over 20 years ago, I was one of the founding members of the Oro Valley Optimist Club and am still active on their board. April 18, 2026, is our annual “Scramble for Youth” Golf Tournament at the El Conquistador Golf Club. It will raise funds for youth programs like Project Graduation, Arizona Youth Partnership, 5th Grade Drug Awareness, and Oro Valley Police Explorers (or visit OroValleyOptimist.com).

I also contribute to the Community Food Bank and donate to the African American Legacy Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. Another charity I support is the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce scholarship foundation.

What is your mission with respect to performing music?
To lift the spirits of those I have the privilege of entertaining and to have an abundance of fun while doing so.

To connect with Joe Bourne, visit JoeBourne.com.

Suzie Agrillo is a freelance writer in Tucson and a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Magazine. She focuses on the arts, inspirational people and the human connection. Connect at [email protected].